In Front Of Police Peaceful Protestors Were Attacked – Sampanthan Writes To President
December 15, 2013
A peaceful demonstration was held at Trincomalee in close proximity to the main Bus Stand around 11.00 A.M. on 10th December 2013, which is the Human Rights Day proclaimed by the United Nations, says the TNP leader R. Sampanthan and Member of Parliament for Trincomalee.
Writing to the President, he said; “The demonstration was conducted by parents, spouses and near relatives of missing persons to draw attention to the grave violation of their Human Rights on Human Rights Day, and to seek redress to their current plight . Civil Society and democratically elected representatives of the people also participated in the demonstration. The demonstration was perfectly peaceful and those participating in the demonstration carried posters demanding justice. I am informed that some Police personnel were present at the scene.”
We publish below the statement in full;
His Excellency President Rajapaksa,
President, Democratic Socialist Republic of SriLanka,
Presidential Secretariat,
COLOMBO – 1.
Your Excellency,
ATTACK ON PEACEFUL PROTESTORS ON 10th.DECEMBER 2013 ,
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY AT TRINCOMALEE.
A peaceful demonstration was held at Trincomalee in close proximity to the main Bus Stand around 11.00 A.M. on 10th December 2013, which is the Human Rights Day proclaimed by the United Nations.
The demonstration was conducted by parents, spouses and near relatives of missing persons to draw attention to the grave violation of their Human Rights on Human Rights Day, and to seek redress to their current plight . Civil Society and democratically elected representatives of the people also participated in the demonstration. The demonstration was perfectly peaceful and those participating in the demonstration carried posters demanding justice. I am informed that some Police personnel were present at the scene.
Some time after the demonstration commenced, some persons, a few of whom had concealed their faces with cloth, set upon the demonstrators and assaulted them with hands. The posters which the demonstrators were carrying were also plucked and damaged. The demonstrators were warned that they should not carry out protests against the Government. Some of the demonstrators were injured.
Such an attack on peaceful protestors in not merely highhanded; it is also indicative of a fascist approach, and constitutes a very grave violation of the Human Rights of their people on Human Rights Day. It is also indicative of the total breakdown of the Rule of Law.
I consider it my duty to bring this to your notice in the expectation that appropriate action would be taken.
Yours Sincerely
R. Sampanthan,
Member of Parliament,Trincomalee.
